From St. John s! Highlights in this issue: Rally Day pg 4 Synod News pg Outreach. pgs 6-7 Calendar.. pgs 8-9

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1 September 2015 St. John s Lutheran Church 37 S. Fifth Street Allentown, PA From St. John s! Highlights in this issue: Rally Day pg 4 Synod News pg Outreach. pgs 6-7 Calendar.. pgs 8-9 We are a community of Christians, open to all, empowered by faith in Jesus Christ, to make the Gospel visible by nurturing one another and all whose lives we touch. This issue of the Spire is sponsored in honor of A Couple s Wedding Anniversary.

2 Organist Ahreum Han Congdon s imaginative, powerful, and extraordinary performances have thrilled audiences throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. Ahreum was a featured soloist at the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists held in Nashville, Tennessee in She was a featured artist at the Regional Convention of the AGO held in Atlanta, Georgia (2007), the Winter Conclave of the AGO held in Sarasota, Florida, (2010), the Young Virtuosi Festival held at Wesleyan University, Connecticut, Colorado State University, Colorado, and the White Mountain Musical Arts Bach Festival in New Hampshire. She is scheduled to play the AGO Regional Convention to be held in New Haven, Connecticut in Ahreum has appeared as a solo recitalist at the Kimmel Center s Verizon Hall (Philadelphia), Longwood Gardens, (Kennett Square, Pennsylvania), St. Bartholomew s Church and Trinity Church, Wall Street (NYC), Princeton University Chapel (Princeton, New Jersey), Memorial Chapel at Harvard University (Boston), Ocean Grove Auditorium (Ocean Grove, New Jersey), Spivey Hall (Morrow, Georgia), St. Philip s Cathedral (Atlanta), Broadway Baptist Church (Fort Worth), Merrill Auditorium (Portland, Maine), Overture Hall (Madison, Wisconsin), Cathedral of Christ the Light (Oakland, California), Saint James Episcopal (Los Angeles, CA), Jack Singer Hall (Calgary, Canada), Michealskirche (Leipzig, Germany), Oxford Town Hall (Oxford, United Kingdom), Nottingham Albert Concert Hall (Nottingham, UK), and Esplanade Hall in Singapore. She has been an organ soloist with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra at Kimmel Center and the University of Pennsylvania Orchestra at Irvine Auditorium. Ahreum has received top prizes from numerous competitions including the Oundle Award, undergraduate division of Westminster Choir College Scholarship Competition, the Charlotte Hoyt Bagnall Scholarship Competition, the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) National Young Artist Performance Competition, the John Rodland Memorial Church Music Scholarship Competition, the Albert Schweitzer organ competition, the Carlean Neihart Organ Competition, the Edwin Seder prize at Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and the West Chester University Organ Competition. Her live performances have been featured on the radio show PIPEDREAMS from American Public Media. (con t on pg. 6) Page 3

3 She was born in Seoul, Korea. Her family immigrated to Atlanta, Georgia when she was sixteen. Ahreum graduated with a Bachelor s degree in organ performance from Westminster Choir College where she studied with Ken Cowan. She obtained a Diploma from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music having studied with Alan Morrison. Ahreum received her Master s degree from Yale School of Music and Yale Institute of Sacred Music where she studied with Thomas Murray. Ahreum is presently the Principal Organist, Assistant Director of Music, and Artist-in-Residence at First Presbyterian Church in Davenport, Iowa. She also is the College Organist at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. She was on organ faculty at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She has served as the Principal Organist at First Presbyterian Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania, an organist at Marquand Chapel of Yale Divinity School, an organist for the Berkeley Divinity School of Yale University, and Organist at St. Andrew s Episcopal Church in Stamford, Connecticut. Ahreum recently married Todd Congdon and they reside in Davenport, Iowa. JOHN SCOTT ( ) Saint Thomas Church is heartbroken by the sudden death of John Scott, Organist and Director of Music on Wednesday, August 12, as he suffered a sudden cardiac episode. John was a world renowned organist and choirmaster. His passing was well before his time as he leaves the music community devastated. Prayers go out to his family and friends. Join us on Sunday, September 13, 2015 in the Great Room at 9:15 for a Rally Day Breakfast. Meet the teachers and share some thoughts for the upcoming year. Page 4

4 Pre K-1st Grade Teacher will vary upon attendance These children will be learning some bible verses set to music and will be doing some crafts. 2 ND 5 TH Grade -Teachers: Dolly Maskornick and Cheryl Hausman These youth will be doing some arts and crafts inspired by the Gospel of the day. 6 TH 12 TH Grade -Teacher: Sabrina Leibenguth- These teens will be discussing outreach opportunities based on the Gospel of the day, as well as how we can deal with present day problems while still following in Jesus footsteps. At times, they will be joining the Adult class to share ideas. SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY by Gavin McManaman What do you know about the Holy Spirit? Or what is his purpose? How about knowing the difference between the indwelling Spirit and being filled with the Spirit, and even knowing how to be filled with the Spirit? Well, if you were in our Wednesday evening classes, you would know the answers to those questions. We are just wrapping up our 8 week series; A Christian Life with a strong emphasis on living a Spirit-filled life. The Holy Spirit is a blessed gift from our Heavenly Father given at the very moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In that renewal, he becomes the indwelling Spirit and his work begins of enabling the presence of Christ's life in our life. (Pretty awesome - right?). Our spirit-filled life begins by allowing the indwelling spirit to lead us in experiencing the life of Christ in our life. How do we do that you ask?...bible Study ;) We are just coming back from our summer break and will begin new lessons very soon. Check us out- Wednesday nights in the Great Room, 7pm. Page 6

5 FIRST LOCK-IN is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26 starting at 5 PM. It will end before Sunday School. Bring your flashlights, sleeping bag and your brains. I will be making you think! We will have food, games and might even catch some Zzzzz s!! CONGRATULATIONS to Emily McManaman on being elected as this year s representative for the Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF). Emily was nominated over the summer at an NEPA synod youth gathering at Muhlenberg College; she will represent the Lehigh District. We are honored that our Father in Heaven has chosen Emily for this task and we pray for His spirit to guide her and all the newly elected youth leaders as they work to expand the love of Christ in their new leadership role. INGATHERING FOR JEFFERSON SCHOOL We had a wonderful offering of supplies for our community partners at Jefferson Elementary School. The classroom supplies will be used in Jefferson s after-school programs, as well as in the PSWBS (Positive School Wide Behavior Support) program where students have a chance to earn golden tickets and trade them in for school supplies. Clorox wipes and baby wipes help keep the school a healthy place for teachers and students alike! ATTENTION MARRIED COUPLES: We have just a few openings left for our 2 fall Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends September at the beautiful Spruce Lake Retreat in the Poconos and October at the lovely Heritage Hotel Lancaster in Lancaster, PA. Strengthen and enrich your marriage by spending a weekend devoted to your couple relationship! Two nights lodging, 5 meals for each of you, and all supplies are included with your registration fee plus a contribution of whatever amount you wish to make at the end of the weekend. To register, simply go to the website: and sign up, or for questions or if you would like to register offline, contact PA Lutheran Marriage Encounter directors, Fred & Julie Schamber, at or fjschamber@comcast.net. Page 6

6 CHURCH BOWLING LEAGUE Rose Bowl Center in Allentown (15 th /Sumner Ave), is holding a Church Bowling League Thursday evenings and is looking for more churches to join. The league will run from September through April. Teams need to be atleast 5 members, men or women. If interested, please contact Al Barber at to sign up or for more information. BOY SCOUT TROOP 11 St. John s Lutheran Church 37 S. 5 th St. Troop 11 Meets Monday at 7:15 P.M. in the Great Room Come out and join the fun. Boys 11 to 17 are invited. Additional Adult Leaders are Welcome. Questions-Call Don Hausman ( ) or Jim Hausman ( ) UPCOMING SCOUTING EVENTS: September 7 No Scouts, Labor Day September 14 Fall Schedule Begins at 7:15PM September CAMPOUT at Camp Fowler CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB AT: Our Ministry of Special Gifts... In Memory of Mr. Henry Halpin Earl Halpin

7 Regular Sunday Schedule Resumes September 13. We have two services: the first at 8 AM, and the second at 10:45 AM. The Chancel Choir provides worship leadership at the 10:45 service. (Kevin will be in touch as far as rehearsals go.) On Saturday evenings, we continue to share in the Lord s supper at 5:30 PM. This service, held in the chapel, is more informal than Sunday mornings. 1 ST Training Session will be held on September 20 during the Sunday School hour. Be prepared to welcome and begin training new members. We will also be doing robe fittings. Musical Happenings UPCOMING TUESDAY NOON-TEN SERIES October 6 Arts IN St. John s - A kaleidoscopic view of the architecture, stained glass windows, reredos, sculptures, paintings and our music including our organ October 13 Andrew Long, organist of Muhlenberg College with Patricia Conrad, soprano October 20 Dan Simpson, poet and Jim Meck, pianist --blind artists in observance of the 25 th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with Glenn Hofman, sax October 27 Jeffrey Fowler, organist, Christ Church Ithan, Villanova, PA Suggested donation of $5 at each concert Watch for our Fall Series of concerts held on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Page 2

8 Sunday Monday Tuesday 1 6 9:30am Holy Communion 1pm San Martin Worship 7 LABOR DAY OFFICE CLOSED 8 13 FALL SCHEDULE BEGINS! 8am Service of the Word 9:15am Rally Day 10:45am Service of the Word 1pm San Martin Worship 14 PROPERTY WORKDAY 7:15pm Boy Scouts BOY SCOUT CAMPOUT 8am Holy Communion 9:15am SCS & OSJ Training 10:45am Holy Communion 1pm San Martin Worship 21 PROPERTY WORKDAY 7:15pm Boy Scouts am Service of the Word 9:15am SCS 10:45am Service of the Word 1pm San Martin Worship 28 PROPERTY WORKDAY 7:15pm Boy Scouts 29 SPIRE MAILOUT 7pm Vestry Meeting Page 8

9 St. John s Lutheran Church 37 S 5th St., Allentown, PA Church Office: Fax: Music Office: Website: stjohnsallentown.org stjohnslutheran@rcn.com Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 7pm Bible Study pm Bible Study SPIRE DEADLINE FOOD BANK 12 5:30pm Holy Communion 16 7pm Bible Study 4-5:30pm FOOD/ CLOTHING BANK BOY SCOUT CAMPOUT 5:30pm Holy Communion 23 7pm Bible Study pm SCS Lock-In 5:30pm Holy Communion 30 7pm Bible Study Page 9

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12 GRAYSON JAMES MADIGAN D.O.B. July 28, 2015 Parents: Lauren & Robert Madigan PO1 JASON HAUSMAN Was promoted from Second Class to First Class in the United States Navy Larry D. Greene, President Courtney Keiser, Secretary Aaron Maza, Vice President Treasurer: Michael Pletcher Kathleen Bush Cheryl Gonzalez Sally MacGowan Kristina Troxell Paul Willistein STAFF Rev. Clark Kuntz, Visitation Pastor Charmarie Colon, Parish Administrator Dana Flok, Parish Secretary/Data Specialist Dennis Carl & Thomas Boka, Sextons Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-2:30 PM Office: Fax: Page 12